Switch for electric sadirons



G. J. EASTER SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC SADIRONS Nov. 3, 1925 Filed April 12,1922 Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

GEORGE LEASTER, or NIAGARA rams, new Yoax.

SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC SAIDIRONS.

Application filed. April 12, 1922. Serial No- 551,980.

To all whom is may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon J. Ens'rnn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Niagara Falls, in the county of Niagara and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches forElectric Sadirons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to control mechanism for electrical implements,and more particularly to switches for electric sad irons.

An object of the invention is the provision of a switch which may beturned on or off by revolving the handle of the iron.

A further object of the invention is the provision of indicating meansby which the operator may ascertain whether the non is connected to thesource of current.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device by meansof which the handle will be retained in either position to preventaccidental operation of the switch.

In the form of the invention disclosed, I

' employ a rotatably mounted handle having a contact member adapted tobridge the space between a pair of spaced contacts when in one positionto close the circuit, and being adapted to open the circuit whenarranged in the second position.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of theinvention. In this showing: t

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an iron showing the invention applied,parts being shown in section,

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of one end of thehandle,

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 1 is a similar view on line 4,-4E of Figure 2, and,

Figure 5 is a plan view of one end of the handle.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates theybodyof a sad iron of usual construction having a heating unit,

(not shown) arranged therein. Suitable lead wires '2 extend into thebody of the heating u-nit and are adapted to be connected to a source ofcurrent (not shown). A handle supporting member 3 is secured to the bodyof the iron by suitable fastening elements 4; and is provided with apair of upstanding arms 5, adapted to receive and support the handle.handle 6 is, rotatably mounted in the arms 5. As shown, pins 7 rearrange in opposite ends of the handle and extend through openings inthe supporting arms to rotatably support the handle. A metallic cap 8 isarranged on one end of the handle and this cap is held against rotationby a pin 9 extending through the adjacent arm 5, and arranged beneaththe supporting pin 7. A shell 10 of suitable insulating material isarranged within the cap 8 and this shell is provided with a circularflange 11 which contacts with the cap. The shell is also retainedstationary by the pin 9 which is received therein, as shown in Figures 1and 2. A pair of spring contacts 12 are arranged within the insulatingshell and spaced from each other as shown in Figure 3. The ends 13 ofthe contacts are arranged at right angles to the body'portion andparallel'to the end of the insulating shell 10. These ends are securedto the insulating shell by bolts 14-, one oi which passes through theshell, as indicated at 15, and forms a binding post for lead wire 16.These lead wires extend through the cap 8 to the body of the iron andare connected in the circuit of the heating element. An insulating plate17 is arranged between the metal cap and the lead wires.

.The end of the handle is provided with a rectangularextension 18 formedof wood or other non-conducting material which is surrounded by a band19 of metal. This exten sion is of sufficient length to bridge the spacebetween the contacts 12 when in one position and close the circuit, asindicated in dotted lines in Figure 3 of the drawings, and when thehandle is revolved a quarter of a revolution, the extension isdisengaged from one of the contacts breaking the circuit. A washer 20 ofsuitable insulating material may be arranged on the pin 7 between theextension and the insulating shell.

The opposite end of the handle is pro-, videdwith suitable indicatingmeans, whereby the operator of the iron may ascertain whether the ironis connected or disconnected. As shown, a band 21 is arranged on the endof the handle and revolves therewith; A cap 22, similar to the cap 8,surrounds this band and is held against rotation by a pin23,-received"in the adjacent arm 5. This cap is provided with a slot 24andthe band 21 is provided with suitable indicia 25, whereby theposition of the switch may be determined.

In operation, with the parts in the position shown in full lines inFigureB of the drawings, the cireuit is broken and no ourrent is passingthrough the heating element of the iron. The engagement of the extension18 and the lower contact prevents accidental rotation of the handle toclose the circuit. A contact 12 is formed of resilient material and itis necessary to apply suflicient pressure to move this member undertension to the dotted line position shown, to close the switch. When thehandle is revolved a quarter of a revolution, the extension bridges thespace between the contacts and the current flows through the metal band19. The circuit is then completed and current passes through the heatingelement of the iron. Accidental rotation of the switch is prevented whenthe handle is in this position by the tension of the spring contacts.

Each partial revolution of the handle revolves the band 21 and theindicia 25 arranged thereon indicates at all times whether the switch ison or off.

The insulation between the electric contacts and the metallic cap 8prevents short circuiting through this cap. The handle is made of woodor other non-conducting material and the inner insulating shell 10 andflange 11 prevents currents from passing to the metallic cap 8 from thecontacts 12. The outer insulating plate 17 further prevents current frompassing to the metallic cap from the lead wires 16.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to betake'n as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arran ement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims. i

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an electric sad iron, a supporting member, a handle rotatablymounted in said supporting member, a contact member carried by saidhandle, and spaced contacts arranged adjacent said handle, said contactmember being adapted to engage one of .said spaced contacts at all timesto prevent rotation of the handle and being adapted to engage anothercontact when in one position to complete an electric circuit.

3. In an electric sad iron, a supporting member, a handle rotatablymounted in said supporting member, a contact member carried by saidhandle, a pair of spaced contacts arranged adjacent said handle, saidcontact member being adapted to engage one of said spaced contacts atall times to prevent accidental rotation of the handle, and beingfurther adapted to engage one contact when in one position to com )letean electric circuit, and means carried by said handle to indicate theposition of said contact member.

at. In an electric sad iron, a supporting member, a handle rotatablymounted in said supporting member, a contact member carried by saidhandle, a stationary restraining device arranged adjacent said contactmember to engage said contact member at all times to prevent accidentalrotation of the handle, I and a stationary contact adapted to be engagedby said contact member whenthe contact member is in one position tocomplete an electric circuit.

5. An electric sad iron, a supporting member, ahandle rotatably mountedin said supporting member, an extension formed on said handle, a band ofelectrical conduct ing material surrounding said extension, a

stationary restraining member arranged ad jace'nt said handle andengaging said handle at all times to prevent accidental'rotationthereof,,anda stationary contact adapted tofengage said handle when inone posi. tion to'complete an electric circuit- 1 6. In an electric sadiron, a supporting member, a handle rotatably mounted in saidsupporting, member, a contact member carried by said handle, astationary restrain ing device arranged adjacent said handle andengaging said handle at all times to prevent accidental rotationthereof,and a stationary contact adapted to be engaged by said contact memberwhen the contact memher is inone position to complete an electriocircuit.

7. In an electric sad iron, a supporting member, a handle mounted insaid supporting member and capable of rotating therein, a contact membercarried by said handle, and a plurality ofstationary, spaced contactsadapted to be engaged by said contact member when it is in one positionto complete anelectric circuit, one of said spaced contacts engagingsaid contact nember when in said position with sufficient pressure toprevent accidental rotation of the handle.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE J. EASTER,

